The phrase “joined at the hip” often describes the closeness between people, whether siblings or lifelong friends. This bond, the ability to stay connected through life’s highs, lows, and challenges, makes the journey more bearable. For twin brothers Banele and Bandile Mbere, known as Major League Djz, embarking on their journey in the music world together was a natural choice. “We’ve always worked together with everything. We started being promoters in high school, and then we grew into bigger promoters,” they explain. They’ve evolved into major players in the Amapiano music scene since their early days as high school promoters. DJing became a part of their path right after high school, leading to a decade-long career that has made them prominent figures in Amapiano.
The Major League sound isn’t typical Amapiano. Known as “Piano Fusion,” it blends influences from a variety of genres. “We’ve been influenced by a lot of different music and many different cultures as well. We’ve travelled a lot in our lives, and with our sound, we just take all the music we’ve heard and bring it into what we do,” they share. This approach has propelled them to the forefront of the Amapiano movement, making their sound unique among other artists representing the genre.
Their initial venture into music was through a sound they coined “New Age Kwaito.” It drew from the original Kwaito genre, creating a more hip-hop-based variant that resonated with South African Hip-Hop influences. Through each evolution of their sound, they’ve infused elements of local culture, blending vocals, dialects, and rhythms from different backgrounds. “We were rapping in vernacular vocals, mixing it with English, and bringing in the local kasi culture of South Africa. From there, we transitioned into Amapiano, which is a sub-genre of Kwaito. So, it’s been a continuous build from what we started to where we are now,” they explain.
Today, Major League Djz have reached global audiences, thanks to their consistency and collaboration with artists worldwide. Their adaptability in blending genres has been key to their success. “The collaboration process is not hard because it organically happens in the sound. Collaborating is a big part of the scene; we’ve been doing it for a long time. Working with artists who have the right energy and synergy is what we’re focused on,” they say. This collaborative spirit has led to numerous hit songs, enhancing their role as influential DJs and producers in the industry.
Their latest release, “One Of Them,” featuring UK rapper Tion Wayne, continues their successful year. This year has seen them work with big names like Wiz Khalifa on “Mine For The Night,” Victony on “Margaret,” and join forces with Stefflon Don Brooklyn rapper Fivio Foreign on “Big Fat Machine”. Their collaboration with Tion Wayne was effortless and authentic. “We just linked up in the studio. It happened organically, and he was already listening to Amapiano, so he understood the vibe and brought his style to it,” they say. When they debuted the track at their Balcony Mix Crystal Palace show over the summer, the crowd’s enthusiastic response showed they had hit the mark.
Their success in the UK is unsurprising, with a sold-out show at the Iconic Brixton O2 Academy, a four-week sold-out residency at The Outernet and closing the Piano People’s 2023 Festival at Drumsheds. Their Balcony Mix outdoor show drew their largest crowd yet in the UK, a testament to their growing presence internationally. Reflecting on the UK’s Amapiano scene, they note, “It’s been amazing seeing the growth. Our shows have gone from indoor venues to outdoor events, marking a significant moment for Amapiano.” Events like Piano People’s inaugural outdoor festival and their own Balcony Mix Crystal Palace Bowl show underline the UK’s rising appetite for Amapiano, with Major League Djz playing a pivotal role.
Balcony Mix Africa, their platform, has allowed them to reach beyond Amapiano, highlighting diverse African sounds. Started in early 2020, just before the pandemic, Balcony Mix Africa brought virtual music experiences to people confined at home, showcasing various dance genres. “It just started on our balcony, with us listening to music, showing different vibes, dances, and influences from the genre. We collaborate with some of the biggest pioneers of the sound to show its different sides. It’s a bridge to showcase what’s happening with the sound globally,” they explain. Since its inception, Balcony Mix Africa has expanded internationally, with the UK as one of many stops in their global journey. Their mission remains clear: to share African music culture with the world. “Balcony Mix is a platform for the cultural experience of Amapiano. We wanted to capture and share the sound’s essence so people can connect with the culture that birthed this music.”
Their bond as brothers shines through in their live performances, where their mutual energy and understanding are palpable. “It’s dope. We don’t know anything else for us but to be together. We’ve always worked side by side, supporting and pushing each other,” they say. Their musical connection allows them to carry one another in their sets, strengthening the Major League Djz sound.
With all they’ve achieved, Major League DJz are only gaining momentum. They focus on building international bridges for Amapiano and exploring new territories and sounds. “We’re just building bridges for our music to reach new places. We’re dropping a lot of international features and singles, building tier by tier. When it all makes sense, we’ll release the EP,” they hint. As the year continues, it’s clear that Major League DJz are evolving and committed to pushing Amapiano into new realms and redefining traditional musical boundaries.
CREDITS
Creative Directors - Jessica Ross @jessicaelizaross, Seneo Mwamba @seneomwamba, Zekaria Al-Bostani @zek.snaps
Photographer - Jessica Ross @jessicaelizaross
Producer - Seneo Mwamba @seneomwamba
Gaffer - Nathan Ford @nathan.t.ford
Grooming - Carly Corrine @carlycorrinemua
Styling agency - jendaya @jendaya
Stylist - Jay Tagle @jayytagle
Styling Assistant - Taylan Holness @taylan.holness
Design - @deeds.studio (@dianeadanna)
Studio - Kimber Studio @kimberstudio_
Management - Zinitha Ntanjana @zinithacaprilad
Interviewer - Seneo Mwamba @SeneoMwamba
